Article Contents
What is Transplant Nursing?
Transplant nursing is the specialization focused on caring for those who are giving or receiving transplant organs, such as kidneys, liver, or bone marrow. According to Johnson & Johnson, these nurses help with surgeries, care for patients post-op, order lab tests for organ donor matches, monitor vital signs, clear patients and donors for surgery. They are largely responsible for monitoring patients for signs of transplant rejection. These nurses often work in hospitals and in surgical units.
What are the Education and Certification Requirements?
The first step to becoming a transplant nurse is to become a registered nurse. In order to do this, one must complete an accredited nursing program and earn a diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree. After graduating, the individual must pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for a license.
After gaining at least a year of experience in general nursing and an additional year in transplant nursing, one can apply to take the Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) examination through American Board for Transplant Certification.
What is the Average Salary of a Transplant Nurse?
Nurse salaries are dependent on many factors, including geographic location, employer, education, and experience. According to a 2018 report by the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for registered nurses was $65,470.
What is the Job Outlook?
Although the outlook for transplant nurses is unclear, the outlook for registered nurses is excellent. The BLS predicts 19% job growth from 2012-2022.
